The Gettysburg Address

Here below is a rewording of the famous and moving Gettysburg Address, written by the famed A. Lincoln.

87 years ago, the founding fathers established a new country, with liberty as its main goal.

But now we're in the middle of a horrible civil war, determining if this country can actually stay a country. And here we are, standing on a great battle ground of that war. We're here to designate part of this field to the brave soldiers who died for freedom and justice. And I think it is proper and noble of us to do such

But, if we look at the big picture, we can't designate, or consecrate, or hallow, this ground. The noble soldiers, some who have died, are the ones who made this field special, far more important than we could make it. The world won't remember what we say here, but it can't forget what those men did here. We can only dedicate the work of freedom that these soldiers started and advanced.

We need to be committed to the task that's made for us, so that we can make a difference so these men won't have died for no reason. So that this country can start freely again, for the people, by the people, and last forever.

To Kill a Mocking Bird

This is the essay I wrote after reading "To Kill a Mocking Bird" by Harper Lee. Personally, I thought the book was funny and enjoyable, even though everyone knows about it.


You should definitely read the book before you read this

The High Road

            As the reader knows, the final chapters of Harper Lee's world renowned To Kill a Mocking Bird, left Atticus Finch and Heck Tate with a perplexing decision between legal justice and moral empathy. Providentially for Arthur Radley (Boo), the two men made the right choice. Rather that following classic protocol, they concluded that the reclusive Radley brothers should be left to live out their days in undisturbed tranquility.

            The book so profoundly and concisely states that Arthur was not brought to court because it would be like killing a mocking bird to do so. Arthur had never hurt anyone, lied, stolen, or for that matter, interacted with any human besides his brother in decades.  To drag him into court for defending the children he had watched grow up, seemed harsh to the two men. Mr. Finch and the sheriff didn't want Arthur's welcome into Maycomb's culture to be a unsettling court case full of staring eyes,  pointing fingers, and deranged assumptions. Considering Arthur's rather odd behavior on the night of the incident, perhaps the two men thought it would be a shock to his system.  if was nearly afraid of a little girl.

            This is where another important aspect of the scenario comes into play. An illation can be drawn that Boo was mentally challenged or disabled. His abnormal behavior was, no doubt, one of the reasons for his lifelong seclusion. Atticus and Heck realized that such an straining occurrence of enduring a courtroom trial would destroy Arthur's carefully balanced and calm routine of life. This would have caused him severe trauma and possibly mental destabilization. Undoubtedly it was better to let the Radley's remain as they had been: quiet and solitary.

            One final reason proving that two men were correct in their decision is the most convincing. On several occasions in the Bible, God has not condemned lying, but only in rare circumstances where an individual risked their lives by lying to save someone else's life. In the book of Joshua, Rahab risked her life for the Israelite spies by saying, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from... When it was time to close the gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went," (Joshua 2:4,5). Because she lied and spared God's servants, she was spared in Jericho's destruction. In the situation of Arthur Radley, Mr. Finch, and Heck Tate, the sheriff and lawyer decided to cloak Arthur's involvement in the crime scene in order to prevent him from becoming the central point of Maycomb's attention and public exposure. 

            Although many more conclusions can be drawn and ideas created from the thrilling novel To Kill a Mocking Bird, it is obvious that Finch and Tate compassionately swept Arthur under the rug on that fateful night, right where he was most content. This is because Arthur was mentally handicapped and couldn't handle a county full of eyes upon his back, because he had never been involved in public or private affairs before, and because it is sometimes right to lie if it is not a selfish lie and protects someone else. In conclusion, Atticus and Heck made a difficult decision, but chose the high road of moral empathy for a gentle soul in the community.

Summary of the US Constitution

This week I summarized the US Constitution, not including the Amendments. It has been really intriguing to see how our country used to function and all the changes that have been made for the good (or the bad).

1.     Article I

a.      Section 1: All law making power is given to a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives

b.      Section 2: The House of Representatives will be made of people selected every second year by the US citizens. Elected persons must be old enough and a true American. Taxes shall be collected from each state in a fair manor. The House of Representatives shall choose their officers and be the only body with the power of impeachment.

c.      Section 3: The Senate will be made of two senators from every state, serving for six years with one vote. Senators most also be mature adults with a nine year residency in the US. The Vice President will be head of the Senate, but not allowed to vote unless to break a tie. The Senate will also try impeachment cases. Impeachment will only remove the president from office and any other honorable position on the government.

d.      Section 4: States will dictate when and where elections for senators.

e.      Section 5: each house shall determine various trivial rules and punishments

f.       Section 6: The Senators and Representatives shall receive payment for their services. They shall not be arrested or bothered while they are serving, excepting treason, felony, or breach of peace.

g.      Section 7: Various laws shall be made concerning collection of taxes a other paraphernalia

h.      Section 8: Congress will have power to collect taxes and other things for the welfare of the US. They will borrow money on US credit, regulate commerce with foreign countries, establish a uniform law of naturalization, coin money, provide punishment for counterfeiting, establish post offices, and other imported infrastructural processes.

i.       Section 9: Various laws about immigration with be established.

j.       Section 10: States will not have as high a powers as the national government

2.     Article II

a.      Section 1: The president will hold executive power and serve in office for a term of 4 years. A voting system where the people vote for voters will be established to elect the president and vice president. Only a person born in the US may serve as president

b.      Section 2: The president will be the commander in chief of the US Army and Navy. He will have power to make treaties and other things with the consent of the Senate.

c.      Section 3: The president will give information to congress on the state of the Union from time to time.

d.      Section 4: The president, vice president, and all civil officers shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes.

3.     Article III

a.      Section 1: The judicial power of the country will be held by one supreme court, and in lesser courts as Congress establishes. The judges will only hold their offices when they behave and shall receive small compensation for their services.

b.      Section 2: The judicial power of the courts will extend to all persons, whether native or only visiting. The supreme court shall judge cases involving foreign ambassadors. Trials of any crimes except impeachment will be judged by a jury in the state where the crime was committed.

c.      Section 3: Treason to the United States shall consist only of making war against them or helping its enemies. No one can be convicted of treason unless the two witness testify to an overt act of treason or an admission from the defendant.

4.     Article IV

a.      Section 1: Many abilities will be given to each state to arrange its own proceedings, and congress may also make certain laws in that area.

b.      Section 2: Every citizen in every state will have the same privileges of every other citizen. Any felon that runs to another state will be returned to the state in which he committed the crime upon request from the mother state.

c.      Section 3: New states can be added to the Union, but not inside of another state. Congress can regulate state borders.

d.      Section 4: The US will guarantee to the States a republican form of government and will protect them from invasion and domestic violence.

5.    Article V

a.      Section 1: When both houses agree, amendments can be made to this constitution.

6.     Article VI

a.      Section 1: Any debts or contracts made before the adoption of the constitution will carry over into the new regime. These laws are the supreme laws of the land. Religion will never be a deciding factor in the qualification or election to public office of individuals.

7.     Article VII

a.      Section 1: Everyone agrees to adopt this Constitution in the nine states.

Writing Wednesday: Summary of the Declaration of Independence

This week I summarized the US Declaration of Independence for school. Here it is.

During the course of history, it is sometimes necessary for people to separate themselves from a political power a form a new government. When this occurs, it seems fair that they should state why they are separating themselves.

The following statements are true and self-validating, that all men are instilled with, by their Creator, with the rights to life, freedom, and the search for happiness. Governments must be formed to grant these rights, but only if they get their power from consent of the people. When a Government takes away these rights, the people are allowed to change or abolish such a political power. Previous experiences show that people are more likely to endure trials than to be brave and rebel against oppressive powers. It is these people's duty to rebel against such a government and create a new one to guard their rights. This is the fate of these American colonies. The present King of Great Britain is guilty of numerous crimes against our rights, so let this fact be made known, the King is an awful leader.

From this we have petition on meager terms for our burden to be lightened, but for our kind request we were given more harm.

We have also tried reasoning with our British cousins, giving them well-founded reasons for our actions. However, like their king, they do not listen to us. We must therefore count them as enemies in war.

The Representatives of the United States of America, us, declare that we are official free from the tyranny of Britain and dissolve any political bonds between them. They and we are now free to declare war on us or them, make peace or alliances with us or them or establish trade connections. We now promise our lives, livelihoods, and our honor to this cause.

Sign of the Beaver: Character Sketch

            In The Sign of the Beaver written by Elizabeth Speare, a young boy named Matt was left alone in the wilderness to fend for himself while his father made an important journey. Although his character was prideful at the beginning of the book - a trait that always made his falls in self-confidence harder - it soon changed to one of humbleness and contentedness. At the start of the story, Matt took pride in his survival abilities and the cabin he helped to build. But when he met a nearby tribe of Indians, he soon discovered he was not as capable as he thought. When his family finally returned, Matt had already developed humility and a willingness to learn.

            During the first weeks by himself, Matt took pride in his ability to survive on his own. Although he realized that "time was going to move slowly" (p. 5), he soon discovered it was "mighty pleasant living alone" (p. 7). For several weeks, his aplomb buoyed him through hard work and survival. Hunting and fishing became a regular task and Matt was confident he could take care of himself and the cabin. But his confidence quickly turned to humility.

            The first thing that created insecurity was the theft of his father's firearm. Without the gun,  he was unable to hunt. This left a sense of shame and humility in his head and a moaning emptiness in his stomach. During an attempted honey collection, Matt's pride was broken along with his ankle when he fell out of the tree. Matt was forced to humble himself and accept help from a friendly Indian and his son, Attean. At the start of Attean's first "school" day, Matt was prideful of and confident in his teaching skills, but Attean proved to be more than a match to teach. During the two boys adventures, Attean repeatedly proved to Matt that he was not nearly as skilled as the Indian boy. On one occasion, Matt tried to show off his fishing skills, but his catch escaped with Matt's hook, and ego. Attean then smugly showed the embarrassed white boy how to fish like an Indian. During his awkward friendship with Attean, Matt's self-confidence slowly morphed into meekness.

            Towards the end of the tale, Matt began to rely on others. He chose to learn from Attean, even though the older boy looked down on him. When Attean's decrepit dog was   caught in a trap, Matt overcame his desire to prove to Attean that he was better than him and helped the poor mutt. Before his family returned, Matt's character had matured and his prideful nature had been replaced with respect for what others had to teach.  

            Although Matt's natural tendencies toward pride and arrogance where prominent at the start of The Sign of the Beaver, he learned to respect others' advice and wisdom. He was forced to listen to  Attean in order to survive, even though the Indian often embarrassed him. When the Indian tribe invited Matt to go with them and he declined, his character had been changed and molded into something much more beautiful. He was able to accept wisdom from others and give respect where it was due.  The change in his heart from arrogance to humility brought change in his life from constant embarrassment to genuine contentedness in his life.